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22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth,
and grace rather than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common—
Adonai is the Maker of them all.
A crafty person sees danger and hides,
but the naïve keep going and suffer for it.

The reward of humility and fear of Adonai
is riches, honor and life.

Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse,
but one who guards his soul stays far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
when he is old he will not turn from it.

The rich rule over the poor,
the borrower is a slave to the lender.

One who sows injustice will reap trouble,
and the rod of his fury will perish.

One with a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.

10 Throw out a scoffer and strife will go out,
quarreling and disgrace will cease.
11 One who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious,
will have the king as his friend.

12 The eyes of Adonai guard knowledge, but He undermines
the words of the faithless.

13 The slacker says, “There’s a lion outside!
I’ll be killed in the streets.”

14 The mouth of a seducing woman is a deep pit—
into it will fall one with whom Adonai is angry.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child,
but a rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16 The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain,
and the one who gives to the rich—both end in poverty.

17 Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge.
18 For it is delightful if you keep them
within you, ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in Adonai,
I made them known to you this day, even you.
20 Have I not written to you thirty sayings
of admonition and knowledge,
21 to show you true and reliable words,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

22 Do not rob a poor person because he is poor,
nor crush the needy at the gate,
23 for Adonai will plead their case,
and rob life from those who plunder them.

24 Do not be friends with one given to anger
or associate with a hot-tempered person,
25 lest you learn his ways,
    and entangle your soul in a snare.

26 Do not be one who shakes hands
or puts up security for debts.
27 If you do not have enough to pay,
why should your bed be taken from under you?

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
which your fathers set up.

29 Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will stand before kings.
He will not stand before obscure people.

22 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.(A)

Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.(B)

The prudent see danger and take refuge,(C)
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(D)

Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor(E) and life.(F)

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,(G)
    but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

Start(H) children off on the way they should go,(I)
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.(J)

The rich rule over the poor,
    and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,(K)
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.(L)

The generous will themselves be blessed,(M)
    for they share their food with the poor.(N)

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(O)

11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(P)

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
    but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside!(Q)
    I’ll be killed in the public square!”

14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;(R)
    a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.(S)

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(T)

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
    and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(U) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(V)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(W)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(X)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(Y) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(Z)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(AA)
    and will exact life for life.(AB)

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.(AC)

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(AD)
    or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
    your very bed will be snatched from under you.(AE)

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone(AF)
    set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled(AG) in their work?
    They will serve(AH) before kings;(AI)
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.